Automatic signal system fob



Det. 6E, 1953 a. 5. @@mms Re. 235m@ .AUTBSATIG SEGNAEQ SYSTEM FDRBO'MRCRS I Griggul Filed @April Sil, lif

FDI. AIMER Fl i? MEF? i #NVE/V TOR Reuma ocr. s, 1953 UNITED sTATEsPATENT OFFICE AUToMA'rrc ls rcavl'llz. srsfrEM Fon e Mo'roaosnsf Matterenclosed in heavy brackets I appears inthe original patent but forms nopart olfthis 8 Claims..

reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

Among the objects of the invention is thegprovision on the rear portipnof 'a motor car of visual indicating means for informing the driver of afollowing vehicle, certain functional conditions existing in thepreceding car.

Another object is to automatically indicate by visual signals any changein the manipulation of the manual controls of the motor, accelerator,brake and reverse gear of a motor car., l

A further object is to interpose a vacuum operated switch in the batterycircuit operated from l the intake manifold of theinternal combustionmotor of the vehiele, so that the battery circuit will be opened whenthe motor is not operating and misleading signals cannot be made. p

The behavior of automobile drivers, at' the present time of highspeed,and congested traic is unpredictable. The prescribed arm signals are notalways given correctly` it at all, nor in time to avoid mishaps. Thepresent invention informs the driver of a following car the runningcondition of the car ahead by automatic signals actuated by the vehiclecontrols.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds. Inthe speciflcation'an'd the accompanying drawings the invention isdisclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it isnot limited t this form; because it may be embodied in v modificationswithin the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims followingthe description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view from the rear of the multiple signal boxattached to the rear portion pf an automobile body in accordance withthis y invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the foot and handcontrols for the motive mechanism of a motor car having a wiring dia.-gram associated therewith relating to the presentinvention. g

Fig. 3 is a series of diagrammatic views with explanatory legendsshowing the clor combinations of the various signals under runningconditions.

In detail the structure illustrated in the drawings,V Fig. 2, comprisesthe conventional `floor board I, the foot board 2, andthe dash 3. Theaccelerator foot pedal 4 is plvoted at 5 to the foot board 2 and has thepush rod 5 pivoted thereto and to the throttle control linkage 1 in theusual manner.

The brake pedal 5 is pivoted at 9 to the gearcase oi the motor A and tothe brake actuating mechanism III, which may be of any conventional lll2 form. The hydraulic type shown has the switch actuating accessory IIfor operating the conventional stop light.

The gearcase I2 has the gear shift lever I3 or any other means forshifting gears. The sliding gear shaft I4 usually projects beyond thegearcase. The source of electric current includes the generator I5 andthe battery I6, distributing throughfthe lead wire Il of thedistributing circuit grounded at I8. Thus far the mechanism described isconventional in automotive practice 'with variations to meet specialconditions.

This invention includes the enclosing case i9, Fig. l, adapted to bemounted on the car body X in any suitable manner where it will be easilyvisible from the rear of the car. This case I9 has the partitions 2D, 2|that divide it into three compartments 22, 23, 24, see Fig. 2. The frontof the case has the cover in which the glass panes 2B, 21, 28 aremounted and which cover their respective compartments with the colorsred. yellow and green, or any other contrasting colors respectively.

Each compartment has a light bulb 29, 30, 3|, respectively. Thesevarious lights are in subcircuits preferably deriving' their electriccurrent directly from the battery I6 charged by the generator I5 drivenby the motor A. The yellow caution light 21 will function continuouslywhile the motor A is running, except when the accelerator 4 isdepressed, or the reverse gear is functioning. Current for the cautionlight 21 flows i'rom the battery I6 over the wire 32, the main switch33, the wire 34, the normally closed switch 35, the wire 35. through thelamp to the ground wire, and the ground back to the battery i5. The mainswitch 33 is closed by the collapse of the bellows 38 linked thereto andcollapsed by the suction within the motor intake manifold A' to which itis connected by the tube 39. When the motor stops, atmospheric pressurein the manifold permits the bellows 3l to extend andopen the switch 33as shown.

The green "g0 signal 28 is illuminated and the yellow "caution signal 21is disconnected when the accelerator 4 is depressed, causing the link 4Dto open the switch and close the switch 4I. Current then iiows from thebattery over the wire 32, the main switch 33 closed by the motor intakecollapsing the bellows 38, then over the wire 34. the switch 4I, thewire 42, the lamp 3l, and back to the battery over the ground Wire 31.When the accelerator 4 is released it opens the switch 4I and closes theswitch 35 restoring the yellow caution signal circuit previouslydescribed.

When the foot brake 8 is depressed it advances the rod 43 which closesthe switch 44. Current then flows from the battery IB over the wire 45,the switch 44, the wire 46, the lamp 29, and back to 'the battery overthe ground wire 31. The lamp 29 illuminates the red "stop light 2li,even when the vehicle is coasting down hill with a dead motor and thebrakes on, the battery still supplying current to the signal systemwithout the functioning of the generator i5.

When the gearshift lever i3 is thrown into reverse the protruding shaftI4 closes the switch 41 causing current to flow from the battery I0 overthe wire y3l?, switch 33, wires 34, 48, the switch 41, wire 49, throughthe lamp 29 and the ground Wire 31 back to the battery I6, provided themotor is running which closes the vacuum switch 33, as described.

It ispreierable to combine the usual brake red "stop signal circuit withthe present brake switch 44 so that the stop signal will operate evenwhen the car' is standing still with a dead motor. This will givewarning behind that the car ahead is occupied and may be operated.

Only the foot accelerator control 4 has been illustrated, but the handthrottle control, if any, is usually connected with the linkage beyondthe crank 1, so that the results described in the operation of theaccelerator 4, also follow manipulation of the hand throttle control,not shown.

For simplicity and clarity the electric switches in the various circuitshave been symbolically indcated in the wiring diagram. There arenumerous types of switches in the automotive art available for adaptingthis invention to the various types of motor cars in accordance with theunderwriters requirements for enclosed switches.

To accentuate the functioning of the reverse and caution signals 26, 21,the flashers 50 and 5i are interposed in these respective circuits.

Having fully described this invention and its mode of operation, what Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with a vehicle having an internal combustion motor, amotor accelerator, and a vehicle brake and a gear shift lever and anelectric circuit with a sounce of electric power and a main switchtherein; a collapsible bellows having a single chamber connected withthe suction ln the intake manifold of said engine and mechanicallylinked to said main switch for closing said switch when said motorstarts and collapses said bellows and opening said switch when saidmotor stops; a go signal on said vehicle in a sub-circuit in said signalcircuit and having a switch therein opened and closed by saidaccelerator; a caution signal on said vehicle in a subcircuit in saidsignal circuit and having a switch therein opened and closed by saidaccelerator and so arranged that said caution" signal switch is openedwhen said go sig'nal switch is closed; and a stop signal on said vehicleand included in a brake sub-circuit and a gear shift sub-circuit in saidsignal circuit with vindependent "stop switches in said brake and gearshift sub-circuits, one of said "stop switches being opened and closedby said brake lever and the other opened and closed by said gear shiftlever, independently or lin unison.

2. In a tragic signaling control system for motor vehicles operable onlywhen the internal combustion engine is running, comprising a circuit forsaid signaling system, a normally open switch for closing said circuit,u diaphragm connected to the engine intake manifold for actuating saidswitch which closes said switch in response to the starting and runningof said engine and which opens the switch when the engine is stopped, ayellow caution signal energized by the closing of said switch, a secondswitch in said circuit operable by pressure on the accelerator fordeenergizing said yellow caution signal and energizing a green signalindicating forward motion of the vehicle, and a green forward motionsignal energized by the closing of 'said second switch, said yellowcaution signal being re-energized and the green signal dez-energizedupon removal of pressure on the accelerator.

3. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having a geur shift,an accelerator and a foot brake operable only when the internalcombustion engine thereo) is running, comprising a circuit for saidsignaling system, four signuls for visually indicating reverse, stop,caution and accelerating in said circuit, a normally open vacuum switchfor closing said circuit, a diaphrugmy connected with the engine intakemanifold for automatically closing said switch in response to thestarting and running of said internal combustion engine immediatelyenergizing the caution signal, a second switch in said circuit operableby pressure upon the accelerator to deenergize the caution signal andenergize the accelerating signal, a third switch in said circuitoperable by pressure upon the foot ybrake energizing the stop signal, afourth switch in said circuit operable by placing the gear shift inreverse, and a flasher in said circuit operable when said fourth switch.is closed.

4. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internalcombustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator und u foot brake,comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signalingsystem, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable onlywhen said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by thepressure drop in the intake manifold, u diaphragm connected with theengine intake manifold for actuating said switch, a visual cautionsignal Venergized immediately upon the closing of said switch, a flasherenergized when said caution signal is energized, a second switch in saidcircuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to cle-energize thevisual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, and avisual accelerating signal energized by the closing of said secondswitch.

5. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internalcombustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake,comprising in combination, an electrical circuit ,for said signalingsystem, a. normally open switch for closing said circuit operable onlywhen said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by thepressure drop in the intake manifold, u diaphragm connected with theengine intake manifold for actuating said switch, a visual cautionsignal energized immediately upon the closing of said switch, a secondswitch in said circuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator tode-energize the visual caution signal and energize a visual acceleratingsignal, a visual accelerating signal energized by the closing of saidsecond switch, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure onthe foot brake, and a visual stop signal operable in response to theclosing of said third switch.

6. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internalcombustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake,comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signalingsystem, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable onlywhen said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by thepressure drop in the intake manifold, a fluid pressure operated memberfor actuating said switch, means connecting the same with the intakemanifold to communicate the manifold pressure to said member, meansconnecting said 'member and said switch to close the switch when apressure drop occurs in the manifold, a visual caution signal energizedimmediately upon the closing of said switch, a second switch in saidcircuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to die-energize thevisual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, avisual accelerating signal energized by the clos ing of said secondswitch, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure on the footbrake, a visual stop signal ofperable in response to the closing of saidthird switch, and a fourth switch in said circuit operable and closedonly in reverse gear to energize the visual stop signal either alone orin conjunction with the visual caution signal when the vehicle is inrearward motion.

7. An automatic signaling system for motor vehicles having an internalcombustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake,comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signalingsystem, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable onlywhen said internal combustion engine is running and being closed by thepressure drop in the intake manifold, a fluid pressure operated memberfor actuating said switch, means connecting the same with the intakemanifold to communicate the manifold pressure to said member, meansconnesting said member and said switch to close the switch when apressure drop occurs in the maniltold, a visual caution signal energizedimmediately upon the closing of said switch, a second switch in saidcircuit operable by pressure upon the accelerator to :le-energize thevisual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, avisualaccelerating signal energized by the closing of said second switch, athird switch on an independent circuit having no relation to the runningof the engine, operable by pressure on the foot' brake but adapted forsimultaneous opera tion with said first mentioned circuit and itssignals, and a visual stop signal operable in response to the closing ofsaid third switch.

8. An automatic signalling system for motor vehicles having an internalcombustion engine, an intake manifold, an accelerator and a foot brake,comprising in combination, an electrical circuit for said signallingsystem, a normally open switch for closing said circuit operable onlywhen said internal combustion` engine is running and being closed by thepressure drop in the intake manifold, a fluid pressure operated memberfor actuating said switch, means connecting the same with the engineintake manifold to communicate the manifold pressure to said member,means connecting said member and said switch to close the switch when apressure drop occurs in the manifold, a visual caution signal energizedimmediately uipon the closing of said switch, a flasher in said circuitenergized when said caution signal is energized. a second switch in saidcircuit operable by pressure upon the Iaccelerator to decnergize thevisual caution signal and energize a visual accelerating signal, avisual accelerating signal energized by the closing of said secondswitch, a third switch in said circuit operable by pressure on the footbrake, a visual stop signal operable in response to the closing of saidthird switch, and a fourth switch in said circuit operable and closedonly in reverse gear to energize the visual stop signal either alone orin conjunction with the visual caution signal when the vehicle is inrearward motion, and a second flasher in said circuit energized whensaid reverse signal is energized.

ROBERT S. COOMBS.

References Cited in the lc of this patent or the original patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,096,069 Seiden Oct. 19, '19372,128,769 Finnel. Aug. 30, 1938 2,250,133 Pearce et al. July 22, 19412,275,695 Stafford Mar. 16, 1942 2,463,088 Coombs Mar. 1, 1949

